Grog's Scouting Knots

Instructions: Move the mouse over each knot. Look at the description to find out what it can be used for. Click on the knot you wish to see. On the new page wait until the selected knot starts to tie itself.

Welcome to Scouting Knots

Selection

These animated knots are described for scouts, but most of them have critical uses in other environments. The selection of knots is based on consultation with many scouting leaders and a review of the requirements by some national organizations.

Choices

Rather than show the Fisherman's Knot the Double Fisherman's is used because it is safer and more widely used. The Fisherman's can easily be created by substituting Overhand Knots for the Double Overhand Knots. The Sheepshank is included reluctantly for reasons explained on its page. I make no apology for also including the Constrictor and Alpine Butterfly. They are both useful and more valuable than the Sheepshank.

Optional Knots

Some additional knots which have been listed for teaching to scouts are described elsewhere on this website: the
Water Knot, the
Bowline on a Bight, the
Carrick Bend, and the
Sailmaker's Whipping. The Tautline Hitch is regarded as a variation of the
Rolling Hitch. The Double Sheet Bend is pictured on the
Sheet Bend Page. The Pipe Hitch is not described as several knots appear to share this name, one of which is the same as the
Klemheist. The Masthead or Jury Knot is not described here as it appears to have limited use but you can find how to make it on the page about the
Masthead Knot Mat
in the decorative section. So far at least, the Cat's paw, Draw Hitch, and Honda are not included.

Disclaimer: Any activity that involves ropes is potentially hazardous. Lives may be at risk - possibly your own. Considerable attention and effort have been made to ensure that these descriptions are accurate. However, many critical factors cannot be controlled, including: the choice of materials; the age, size, and condition of ropes; and the accuracy with which these descriptions have been followed. No responsibility is accepted for incidents arising from the use of this material.